At the Mid States Rendezvous Awards Banquet, Sunday August 20th, Jim Theisen was awarded the distinguished Kiesau Award, given to those who have made a significant impact in the Mid States’ group. Jim, surrounded by his family, proudly accepted the award, humbled to be recognized for his impacted. Attached are some pictures from the awards.

For the Award’s background, I’ve inserted a summary below and a link explaining how Bob and Jean Kiesau started Mid States.

CONGRATULATIONS TO JIM!! We are proud to be a part of your success.

Our Founders – Bob and Jean Kiesau

In the early 1950s, Bob and Jean Kiesau were driving through Illinois on their way from a Florida vacation when they noticed a billboard that advertised discounts on automotive parts for “fleet” operators. It struck the Kiesaus that farmers probably all own five or more vehicles, so they would qualify for the “fleet” discounts. All they needed was a “fleet” card to verify that they were “fleet” operators. Bob and Jean took the risk and decided to open new stores built around this concept. Farmers flocked to his stores with their cards in hand. The idea was the beginning of modern discount merchandising.

Soon others heard of the idea and eventually people like the Mills brothers, Harold Bomgaars and Claude Blain began traveling to Grand Forks to learn more about this new “fleet store” concept. The Kiesaus gladly shared information regarding their operation and, without realizing it, began a tradition of sharing “best practices” that is still carried on today. In 1953, they formed a consortium to pool their buying power – “Mid-States Buying Group” was born. Their product lines soon expanded from automotive to farm supplies and even household goods based on their customers’ needs.

Applications for Theisen’s More for Your Community Grants due August 15

Theisen’s Home•Farm•Auto is proud to announce the launch of the 2017 Theisen’s More for Your Community Grants program.

Supported by Theisen’s charitable fund and through a partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, grants will be made available in all Theisen’s store communities. This year, more than $250K in total grants will be distributed to the region served by Theisen’s, with each store having at least $5,000 available. The maximum request per project application is $5,000. Applications are currently available at www.dbqfoundation.org/theisens and directions to access the application are also available at each store. The deadline to apply is August 15.

The More for Your Community Program will make direct grants to agencies to jumpstart and/or sustain projects that most effectively and directly serve the basic needs of families and children, which include food, shelter, education, safety and health. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government-sponsored, or school-sponsored organizations and directly serving children and families within a 60-mile radius of a Theisen’s store.

Theisen’s Home Farm Auto has donated nearly $1.5 million through the More For Your Community Grant program since its inception, and supports many other community events and organizations directly. Company President Jim Theisen said, “Theisen’s is proud to begin our ninth year of More for Your Community Grants. Our Theisen’s team encourages the important work being accomplished by the volunteers and leaders who serve children and families in our store communities. We invite nonprofit groups to complete an application online and tell us by August 15, 2017, how we can help.”

~~

Theisen’s More for Your Community Grant Program is made possible

through a partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.

At the Mid States Rendezvous Awards Banquet, Sunday August 20th, Jim Theisen was awarded the distinguished Kiesau Award, given to those who have made a significant impact in the Mid States’ group. Jim, surrounded by his family, proudly accepted the award, humbled to be recognized for his impacted. Attached are some pictures from the awards.

For the Award’s background, I’ve inserted a summary below and a link explaining how Bob and Jean Kiesau started Mid States.

CONGRATULATIONS TO JIM!! We are proud to be a part of your success.

Our Founders – Bob and Jean Kiesau

In the early 1950s, Bob and Jean Kiesau were driving through Illinois on their way from a Florida vacation when they noticed a billboard that advertised discounts on automotive parts for “fleet” operators. It struck the Kiesaus that farmers probably all own five or more vehicles, so they would qualify for the “fleet” discounts. All they needed was a “fleet” card to verify that they were “fleet” operators. Bob and Jean took the risk and decided to open new stores built around this concept. Farmers flocked to his stores with their cards in hand. The idea was the beginning of modern discount merchandising.

Soon others heard of the idea and eventually people like the Mills brothers, Harold Bomgaars and Claude Blain began traveling to Grand Forks to learn more about this new “fleet store” concept. The Kiesaus gladly shared information regarding their operation and, without realizing it, began a tradition of sharing “best practices” that is still carried on today. In 1953, they formed a consortium to pool their buying power – “Mid-States Buying Group” was born. Their product lines soon expanded from automotive to farm supplies and even household goods based on their customers’ needs.

Applications for Theisen’s More for Your Community Grants due August 15

Theisen’s Home•Farm•Auto is proud to announce the launch of the 2017 Theisen’s More for Your Community Grants program.

Supported by Theisen’s charitable fund and through a partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, grants will be made available in all Theisen’s store communities. This year, more than $250K in total grants will be distributed to the region served by Theisen’s, with each store having at least $5,000 available. The maximum request per project application is $5,000. Applications are currently available at www.dbqfoundation.org/theisens and directions to access the application are also available at each store. The deadline to apply is August 15.

The More for Your Community Program will make direct grants to agencies to jumpstart and/or sustain projects that most effectively and directly serve the basic needs of families and children, which include food, shelter, education, safety and health. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government-sponsored, or school-sponsored organizations and directly serving children and families within a 60-mile radius of a Theisen’s store.

Theisen’s Home Farm Auto has donated nearly $1.5 million through the More For Your Community Grant program since its inception, and supports many other community events and organizations directly. Company President Jim Theisen said, “Theisen’s is proud to begin our ninth year of More for Your Community Grants. Our Theisen’s team encourages the important work being accomplished by the volunteers and leaders who serve children and families in our store communities. We invite nonprofit groups to complete an application online and tell us by August 15, 2017, how we can help.”

~~

Theisen’s More for Your Community Grant Program is made possible

through a partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.